ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14301, 22 February 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CARTER, THE MYSTERIOUS. "

It may be, as was stated long ago, that there is nothing new under the sun, but those who visited His Majesty's, Theatre last evening, when Carter, "the Magician," as lie is billed, opened a season of 12 nights, will be inclined seriously to doubt this dictum. It may be that the principles on which Mr. Carter's illusions are based are not new, but it must certainly be admitted that in a good many instances the setting and management of the tricks are distinctly original. It is inevitable in a programme of the length of that which Mr. Carter presents that some of the illusions should be comparatively simple, and that others should, have lost whatever atmosphere of mystery tlmt originally may have invested them. They are not necessarily to be despised on that account if they., are well done, and with Mr. Carter as illusionist they inevitably are. Everything he does is well done and in a finished manner., There is nothing - slovenly about his work; he very rarely has to try twice to obtain his effects, even in his most difficult illusions, and there are no ragged edges to his tricks to assist the imagination of those who may he seeking for a cue. Also, it must be said that sufficient of the programme is new and distinctive to justify those who have seen other traders in the mysterious paying a visit to His Majesty's. Mr. Carter receives some assistance from other members of the company, but the greater part of the work falls on him, and under these circumstances it is surprising to find the programme so diversified and entertaining. This is largely due to Mr. Carter's racy comments as his tricks proceed and his frequent sallies of wit. .

The first part of the programme consists largely of * feats of legerdemain. Opening with one or two transformations, in which a cone and . an orange change places, apparently by no natural law, Mr. Carter proceeds to show his complete control over a pack of cards, which she shuffles > in a clever manner. He then causes particular cards to rise out of the'pick in .obedience to his magic wand. Turning his mystery to more practical purpose, 'lie prepares such useful articles .'as coffee (hot), milk, , and sugar, by covering similar quantities of cut paper and bran with black cloths. Mr. Carter then poked gentle fun at the tricks of the spiritualist, and, to show that he was not ; above adapting some, placed, a roughly-carved wooden hand on a table and .made it rap at will. He stood at a. distance, and at his command the hand knocked affirmatively or negatively to a number of questions put by the audience. It was an excellently discreet spirit 'that moved . the hand. It told the audience thfrtr Captain Knyvett would be reinstated and that the Waratah .would be found, and when a young lady asked, her age it did not. go above 24. •, In the end Mr. Carter made the hand* come off the table to meet His. He then borrowed some rings, broke them' into bits, and fired the bit from a pistol into the innermost of a number of locked boxes. One ring was missing when the box was opened ; but a minute later it was brought out of a bottle from which Mr. Carter poured every species of drink that was desired, and which also proved to contain a guinea-pig. In his trick with the rings the illusionist bad the assistance of a small boy picked from the audience. If Mr. Carter and the boy had never met before the youngster was an original humorist of high order; if they had, there was no detriment to the trick. \ Perhaps the cleverest thing done during the evening • was. the suspension of a;; hypnotised girl in mid-air for several minutes. The girl slowly rose in obedience' to Mr. Carter's, passes- about sft into the air, a hoop was passed under and- over her to show, the absence of supports, and she was then allowed, to fall slowly till she touched the 'couch again. On a similar plane, of mystery was the "Magical Divorce." A girl sat in a chair, and was raised by pulleys to mid-air, a shot was fired at , her, and, presto! - she had vanished on the instant. A couple ,of cabinet tricks were included in the programme, girls being mysteriously introduced into and vanishing through apparently solid cases. Mr. Carter.appeared in the third part in the garb of a Chinaman, and," assisted by Misses Pierce and Maxwell, sent the audience away with mystery piled on mystery.' , A .clever turn was provided by Corinne Carter, who sat on the stage blindfolded and told the name of everything Mr. Carter -touched as he walked through the audience. v She also told . the dates on coins, the numbers on notes, and time indicated by stopped watches, and long inscriptions on 'medals. Still more mystifying were , her reading and answering of questions , while blindfold and telling the names, of questioners. Someone thought to trip her by asking about- Hallev's Comet, but she was ready with the dates t,and whole history. ' -, A similar programme will be presented this evening.

v . ROYAL ALBERT HALL. The current moving picture programme at tho Royal Albert Hull was again last night patronised by a splendid audience. . The scenic picture, " Riba and Lake Garda," was much admired, and the dramatic subjects, including the American :Indian > story, entitled "Redwing's Gratitude," caused much enthusiasm. The comedy subjects as usual evoked roars of laughter. This programme will be repeated to-night only, a complete change taking place ; to-morrow. ;

PHIL. WALSH DRAMATIC COMPANY,

The second performance of " The American Trump" drew a crowded house to the Tivoli Theatre last night, and the reception accorded the piece was decidedly - cordial, judging by the frequent applause and hearty laughter." Oh Wednesday night the farcical comedy, "The Kangaroo Girl," will be produced. *